Vivek Ramaswamy, speaking with reporters after his speech at the Heritage Policy Fest, joined Trump in stressing unity after the shooting at the former president’s Pennsylvania rally.
ABC News asked Ramaswamy for his response to Republicans like J.D. Vance going after Democrats and President Joe Biden in the wake of the attempted assassination attempt.
“Look, I think that there is a lot of understandable anger. I was … my first reaction was anger,” Ramaswamy said. “And the reason my first reaction was anger was that the only thing more tragic than what happened on Saturday is that if we’re being really honest with ourselves, all of us, it wasn’t totally a shock, actually. And that, that is maddening. And that … makes me angry as a citizen of the United States of America. But the question is, how do we channel that anger?”
Ramaswamy said Republicans have a “second chance that Lincoln didn’t have: to unite a country that this time didn’t have to fight a civil war, but avoids one.”
“If that bullet hit Donald Trump, we’d be in a very different place now,” he said. “And the fact that we’ve been given that chance, I think it’s our responsibility to step up and seize it not by compromising on our principles, but by actually reviving the principles that unite all of us. And by seeing the enemy as the ideology that we’re up against, rather than our fellow neighbors as our enemy combatants, and that’s what I call on not only the Republican Party but every American to do in the wake of what happened on Saturday.”
-ABC News’ Alexandra Hutzler
The Republican National Convention (RNC) kicked off today with much anticipation and excitement as former President Donald Trump is set to announce his pick for Vice President for the 2024 election. The event, held in Las Vegas, is expected to draw a large crowd of supporters and party officials eager to hear Trump’s choice for his running mate.
As the day began, attendees were greeted with a sense of enthusiasm and energy as they gathered to listen to various speakers and participate in workshops and networking events. The convention floor was buzzing with activity as delegates from all over the country mingled and discussed the future of the party.
One of the highlights of the day was Trump’s highly anticipated speech, where he is expected to outline his vision for the future of the Republican Party and introduce his pick for Vice President. Speculation has been rampant in recent weeks about who Trump will choose to join him on the ticket, with names like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo being floated as potential contenders.
In addition to Trump’s speech, attendees also heard from a number of other prominent Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The speakers touched on a variety of topics, from the economy to national security, and emphasized the need for unity within the party in order to defeat the Democrats in the upcoming election.
Throughout the day, live updates from the convention floor were streaming on various news outlets and social media platforms, allowing those unable to attend in person to stay informed about the latest developments. The atmosphere at the convention was electric, with supporters cheering and waving signs in support of their favorite candidates.
As the day drew to a close, all eyes were on Trump as he took the stage to make his much-anticipated announcement. The crowd erupted in cheers as he revealed his choice for Vice President, signaling the official start of the 2024 campaign season.
Overall, Day 1 of the RNC was a resounding success, with attendees leaving feeling energized and optimistic about the future of the Republican Party. With Trump at the helm and a strong team of candidates by his side, Republicans are confident that they can take back the White House in 2024.
